Who's Who in the Superman Comics

Ruin

Ruin, an enigmatic figure in a mask and a trenchcoat, first appeared when he took over STAR Labs and held Superman at bay with Xlim, who he tortured into helping enact his plans.

Obsessed with how he believes Superman will eventually destroy the Earth, Ruin is merciless in his attempts to hound Superman using technology and raw power. He has many technological tools at his disposal, and was shown working at the behest of a Lex Luthor in hiding.

After much mystery and tragedy, Superman's friend Pete Ross was vindicated when the enigmatic villain Ruin was revealed to be... Professor Hamilton!!! The last time we saw Hamilton, he scurried away in disgrace as his Overmind alter ego was revealed to Superman and his friends. Apparently, Hamilton, escaped into the shadows, and re-emerged as Ruin. His sole intent was to discourage Superman, and harm the Man of Steel's closest friends. Hamilton believed his ruination was at the hands of Superman, and so he wanted to destroy the legendary superhero and his close friends.

As Ruin, Hamilton succeeded in framing Pete Ross, then led Superman into a deadly face-off. Even as Superman clearly overwhelmed Ruin, the malicious mastermind tried to detonate a bomb on his armor, and leave life causing massive devastation along several blocks in Metropolis. Superman wouldn't have it, and removed the bomb from Ruin's form, hurled it skyward, and saved the city from wanton destruction. It's assumed that Professor Hamilton will now be safely incarcerated, and his threat to Superman and Metropolis neutralized... for now.

First Appearance: Adventures of Superman #630 (September 2004)

Who's Who in the Superman Comics

Introduction

This is a listing of many of the notable characters and a few places that have appeared in the Superman comics from the 1986 revamp up until around 2008.

NOTE: A new, and more current version of the Who's Who is currently being worked on and can be accessed by clicking here.

Although Superman often appears in other DC Comics, this text's information is limited mainly to what has occurred in the regular Superman comics.

Many thanks to Scotty V, Derrick Lyle Coleman, Dean Vanek, Genevieve Clemens and Benjamin Grose who all helped out at one time or another with writing and updating these Who's Who descriptions.

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December 1: Richard Pryor, Gus Gorman in Superman III, born in Peoria, Illinois in 1940.
December 1: Joanne Siegel, wife of Jerry Siegel and the original model for Lois Lane, born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1917.
December 8: Teri Hatcher, Lois Lane on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, born in 1964.
December 8: David Harewood, Hank Henshaw in the 2015 Supergirl TV series, born in Small Heath, Birmingham, England in 1965.
December 10: Richard Pryor, Gus Gorman in Superman III, dies of a heart attack in Encino, Los Angeles, California in 2005.
December 12: Sarah Douglas, Ursa in Superman: The Movie and Superman II, born in 1952.
December 14: Peter O'Toole, who played the role of Zaltar in 1984's Supergirl movie, dies in 2013, aged 81.
December 15: Artist Kurt Shaffenberger (Lois Lane, Superboy) born in 1920.
December 15: Helen Slater, star of the 1984Supergirl movie, born in Bethpage, New York in 1963.
December 16: Justice League Action will debut in the U.S. with a 4-part special event titled "Shazam Slam" on Cartoon Network.
December 29: John Haymes Newton, star of the 1st season of the Superboy TV series, born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1965.
December 30: Kristin Kreuk, Lana Lang on Smallville, born in Vancouver, B.C, Canada in 1982.